...of this year's NaNoWriMo. The first draft of "The Women's War" clocked in last night at 53,654 words.

It still needs a lot of work, of course. But I've been kicking around the idea for this story for almost a year. It's good to finally have it down on (virtual) paper. Now to whip the first draft into shape -- at a *much* more sedate pace.

Grudging thanks go to Kitty, who pestered me about signing up for NaNo several times in October (and who then didn't finish her own novel -- oh well, there's always next year!).

In other news, I'm pleased with the outcome of the election. I think Barack Obama will make a fine president. I've been entertained by the neocons who were so worried, right after the election, that Obama would take the country so far to the left that we'd become a socialist nation -- and who are now worried because he's bringing in a bunch of Clinton appointees. First they whined because he didn't have enough experience, and now they're whining because he's surrounding himself with experienced people. You can't have it both ways, guys.

Had a good Thanksgiving in Roanoke with the girls -- although due to the NaNo deadline, I drove back on Friday and spent most of the rest of the weekend hermetically sealed in the apartment, slaving over a hot laptop. Going back to work today, I felt like I hadn't had a weekend at all, much less four days off. Looking forward to taking the full two weeks off between Yule and New Year's Day, whoo hoo!

And in a few short days, I'll be 51....

Happy holidays!